Fiddlehead Foraging: How To Sustainably Harvest, ID and Prepare These Gourmet Gems of Mid-Spring

[@alaskansummertime]

I've been growing and selling these for a few years. I've found that to transplant the corm the fall after a good freeze is the best time. They almost pull right out of the dirt. The wild patches I've been visiting for years seem to enjoy being thinned out by having corms harvested leaving individual corms maximum room to expand. Also the center fronds where the spores release can produce millions of new ferns. Pat them on top of potting soil which has been cased with peat moss. There is also a more sterile technique for harvesting spores similar to mushroom culture. But just patting them on peat moss seems to germinate them. In my yard I plant them on the north side of the house where water comes off the roof. I also top dress with wood chips, steer compost and worm castings. Its rare that someone doesn't comment on my fern patch. I've been told its one of the most impressive in Alaska. I may be biased but I've yet to see any sellers with better fern pictures than me. Just sayen.

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello J Man, love your comment! Thank you for sharing and would love to see your ostrich fern patch!

[@alaskansummertime]

@@DinaFalconi Should be in your inbox.

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks! The fern look amazing.

[@TboneMetallic]

YOU ARE AMAZING!

[@DinaFalconi]

Sweet, thank you.

[@barbarastrnadova1651]

Great information!

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Barbara, Good to see you at skate tonight! And thanks for your comment! Fiddleheads shall be coming soooon....

[@shimkonise357]

Thank you

[@DinaFalconi]

Welcome!

[@karenpolzin8297]

Thank you for the great ID! We had planted some ferns a few years back that were gifted to us. With your description and visual, we correctly ID'd them and had a few sauteed in butter last night for supper. Thank you you are a great teacher!

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Karen, thanks for your comment! Enjoy!

[@simonnesimpson5551]

Thank you for describing sustainable foraging. Awesome information. Gratitude 🙏

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Simone, most welcome!

[@MsDulce619]

Great video ❤

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, @MsDulce619, for your comment!

[@shimkonise357]

Awesome! Your explanation is so easy. I love your videos! Thank you!

[@DinaFalconi]

So glad to hear. Thank you! Enjoy the channel!

[@zeandch9126]

Beautiful video and explanation. Thank you 🙏

[@DinaFalconi]

Thank you, Zeandch, for your comment! Enjoy the channel!

[@tomwall2361]

Hi Dina, just curious if you're ever planning a follow up/sequel to your foraging & feasting field guide. The only problem I have with this book is that it leaves me craving info on even more plants! It's my all time favorite foraging guide. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us ❤

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Tom, thanks for your comment. Ha, I appreciate your positive feedback on my book Foraging & Feasting! It is something I think about.... let's see what the future holds.

[@patriciahogg5763]

Totally agree!!!!

[@scrumptiousjdp]

Great video, and love your fashion sense too. Where are you?

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks for appreciating both the video and the fashion! I'm in the Hudson Valley of NY.

[@christinec.7943]

MY EXPERIMENT:
I'm having everyone on my street GROW ONE PLANT FOR FOOD so this summer, we'll have our first Street Party to exchange all our harvests! We'll go home, create a yummy recipe, then BRING The EATING PERFECT HEALTH to the Victory Garden Party ON Pardee (Our street is actually called Pardee St.).
A self sustaining 'Street of Food' to Meet, Greet and Eat with My Neighbors!!
A Pilot Project
THE WEALTH OF PRICELESS
Human Education for The MOST affordable MENTAL, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, and Humanitarian way to Solve THE PROBLEM! (On my street anyway).
If Your Soul Needs Filling, then ground You WILL BE Tilling!
My two Slogans:
Oregon! The Biggest Neighborhood in America!
and
Grow It and Know It!
WE WILL BE WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL!!! ❤

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Christine, I love this experiment!!! Seems so helpful in so many ways! Keep us posted. Dina

[@zacharybrown5150]

She low key...Knows stuff you don't know lol...
I can seeeeee lol 😆

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks

[@patriciahogg5763]

Excellent video!!
Are any other ferns edible?

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello Patricia, this is the primary edible fern, but bracken fern is also consumed, although it has some toxicity.

[@jojow8416]

Thank you for this information. Do you know if they are high in oxalates?
If they are low in oxalates I have a feast to enjoy in the forest behind my house. A few years ago I tasted on raw and my taste buds were not very happy with the flavor.

[@DinaFalconi]

Hello JoJo, not sure of their oxalate content, but would like to know as well. If you learn, please share here. And luck you, to have this feast behind your house! But cook them first, either blanch and then cook, or boil. Enjoy

[@freeradiorulo4894]

I had know idea you could eat those! Wash it down with some PBR! Just subscribed!

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks!

[@freeradiorulo4894]

Gonna try these ferns with some ranch!

[@Aluttuh]

My childhood forest used to have thousands of ferns and was extremely lush and beautiful until foreign immigrants started harvesting the heads and probably the entire fern and now they are completely gone, not a single one left. :/ extremely sad. Always forage sustainably and inform those who don't.

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, yes, as you say always forage sustainably!

[@tamangsandip2838]

god information can get seeds?

[@DinaFalconi]

Thanks, Tamang, for your question. Not sure about seeds, but you can get baby shoots from an established mother plants.

[@zerpblerd5966]

nomnom

[@DinaFalconi]

Yup!